FORMER Giants captain Brad Drew is urging his old club to rekindle the spirit of 2006 when the Giants face St Helens in their Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final at Warrington next month.

Drew delivered a masterful display at hooker when Huddersfield booked their first Challenge Cup final appearance for 44 years with a 30-12 triumph over Leeds at Odsal in 2006.

That victory was regarded as being a major shock, but with the way the Giants have been playing during their march to third in Super League, the Australian believes Huddersfield can spring another major surprise against Saints on August 9 as they dream of reaching Wembley.

“Huddersfield are going to be the underdogs again but I’m sure they will be more confident of beating Saints than we were of beating Leeds three years ago,” said Drew, who is now at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

“They’re a much better team than they were back then and will not fear St Helens, that’s for sure. They are third in Super League on merit and know they can beat anyone on the day.

“The Huddersfield fans have a big part to play, too. They’re a passionate bunch who deserve success and this is a great chance for them to get behind the Giants in big numbers and cheer them all the way to Wembley.”

Drew believes it’s unlikely any of the Huddersfield players will succumb to the pressure of ending St Helens’ 18-match unbeaten run in the Challenge Cup, a sequence which includes a 42-12 victory over the Giants in the 2006 final at Twickenham.

“There is bound to be a bit of an anxiety ahead of what is effectively an elimination game but these are the matches every player wants to be involved in and I’m sure the overriding emotion for Huddersfield will be excitement,” added the 33-year-old.

“If anything, the pressure is going to be on St Helens because they know they’re just one defeat away from ending that amazing Challenge Cup run.”

As well as experiencing the euphoria of a Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final win, Drew is acutely aware of the pain that comes with defeat at falling at the penultimate hurdle having been a member of the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats team that lost 32-24 to Hull at Doncaster last year.

“That was a massive disappointment because we had a great opportunity to go to Wembley and we didn’t take it,” said Drew.

“As a player, you don’t get many chances to play at Wembley and I’m sure the Huddersfield players will grab this opportunity with both hands.

“It’s also important that they prepare in the right way. They can’t be happy just to be in the semi-final, they have to want to go all the way. Knowing many of the Huddersfield players like I do, I can’t see that being a problem.”

Drew also urged all supporters not to miss out on the opportunity to see the Wembley final on August 29.

“The Challenge Cup has been fantastic for me since I came to England, there is so much tradition and history in there and it’s going to be a brilliant occasion at Wembley,” said Drew.

“It would be great to see Huddersfield get there this year, but whoever makes it I’m sure it will be a match no rugby league fan wants to miss.”